What’s brewing on Main Street?

Over the past decade, the addition of a microbrewery to the downtown scene has consistently ranked as a top priority among residents and shoppers in marketing surveys conducted by the El Cajon Community Development Corp. (CDC). Landing a good microbrewery is no simple task, as the number and availability of viable microbrewery operations are limited. In addition, many other cities compete to attract these unique businesses due to their ability to create a destination, build n identity and attract shoppers. The CDC, the Chamber of Commerce, the city government and many others have all pursued the idea for years without success. Until now.

After years of trying, a major microbrewery operation now has been attracted to downtown El Cajon. The City Council recently heard a proposal from Stephan and David Meadows, two brothers with tremendous experience in the field, who seek to open the Downtown El Cajon Brewing Company and restaurant in a now-vacant building at the corner of Main Street and Magnolia Avenue.

David Meadows, a brewmaster who trained with the Denmark-based Carlsberg Brewery, and Stephan Meadows, who has owned and operated a successful steakhouse, plan to open an establishment offering its own signature microbrew as well as steaks, prime rib, sandwiches, and fish and chips. They hope to up and running by May.

Why did they choose El Cajon? Three major reasons, according to Stephan Meadows: Because there is nothing else to compete with the Downtown El Cajon Brewing Company. Because El Cajon is ideal for this operation. And because of the city’s long history of providing financial assistance to new businesses.

As part of the deal approved by the City Council, the city may spend up to $145,000 in redevelopment fund money on improvements needed to make the property usable by a microbrewery. In addition, the city could make an additional $200,000 available in the form of a low-interest loan.

Is it appropriate for the city to offer financial assistance or otherwise help businesses locate within city limits? Absolutely. It is no secret that when you have a thriving business community, everyone benefits. Using redevelopment money to assist local business growth is a tried and true strategy employed by cities throughout the nation. Bear in mind that the money offered here does not come from the general fund. Police and fire protection are not diminished in order to help a local business. We are talking about Redevelopment Agency funds, which by law must only be spent on redevelopment programs and efforts, including business recruitment and retention.

El Cajon has used the business assistance strategy to revitalize downtown over the past 10 years, providing more than $50 million for improvements, development projects and local businesses. This includes such things as the Main Street and Magnolia Avenue Improvement Project, which provided a complete makeover of the Main and Magnolia corridors, as well as vital infrastructure improvements. It also includes incentives on a number of downtown properties to make them attractive to developers, leading to the construction of a plethora of the new commercial and residential buildings throughout Downtown.

Those city investments have led to more than $41 million in private development money being invested downtown, and downtown property owners themselves have invested nearly $2.5 million in improving the area. Since 2004, the city has also provided more than $1.4 million to fund a variety of business recruiting, retention and assistance programs coordinated through the CDC. All of that money has gone directly to local businesses in the form of grants and assistance.

The Downtown El Cajon Brewery Company isn’t the first new business to receive financial assistance from the city and it won’t be the last. Thanks to the city’s forward-thinking Redevelopment Agency, we make it possible to compete directly with other communities seeking to attract quality new businesses to their neighborhoods.

Carpenter is president and CEO of the El Cajon Community Development Corp.